FOUNDER
jsimmers@pension-resources.com
John Simmers is a Founder of the Pension Resource Institute, bringing over 30 years of experience ranging from executive, sales and operations to compliance and supervision. John is a recognized expert and thought leader on industry regulations, and he leads all aspects of the development and implementation of client strategy.
John was formerly the Chairman and CEO of the ING Advisors Network (n.k.a. Cetera Financial Group) from 2000 until 2009, where he worked closely with ING U.S. Retail Financial Services leadership and the executive members of the broker-dealer firms to lead the network and its 10,000 independent financial professionals.
John’s experiences include both the regulatory and industry sides of financial services. He began his career in 1974 as an NASD (n.k.a. FINRA) examiner and rose to supervisor. In 1983, John co-founded and was Executive VP, COO and CCO of Financial Network Investment Corporation, now a member of the Cetera Financial Group.
John has served as an executive leader for numerous industry-related associations, including FINRA, where he served on the Board of Governors, as well as the following national committees: Membership; Independent Firms; Direct Participation Program; Insurance Affiliated Firms; and Joint FINRA/NYSE Continuing Education. He was also a board member of NASDR, which was the subsidiary responsible for all rule making before the NASD became FINRA. John was a former chairman of the Financial Services Institute (FSI) and a member of its board of directors. He was also a past president and director of the California Association of Independent Broker-Dealers and a former member of the Investment Adviser Committee and Independent Firms Committee for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). He served on the Compliance Council, Due Diligence Steering Committee, and Broker-Dealer Advisory Council for the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
John is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and is regularly quoted in industry publications and articles. In 2007 and 2008, John was named in Investment Adviser Magazine as one of the top 25 most influential people in the industry.
John earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from Ohio State University.
